Patient Group Meeting Minutes

Welcome and apologies

Sandra Wilson sent apologies.

Attendance

Elizabeth Grigg, Kate Butler, Liz Murphy, Liz Blazey, Jane Armstrong, Izzy Sylvester, Ian Aldridge, Mike and Phil Keenan, Margaret Tatham, Sharon Rowe, Dr Ross Ganner

Review February meeting minutes (no meeting May) and sign minutes for website

EG noted that the AGM minutes will be discussed at the AGM at the end of the year. Ref minutes of the last meeting 13/08/25, nothing raised by the group.

Practice Update

Current patient numbers – the practice list size is 10,713 down slightly from 10,737 reported at the last meeting and this represents normal list size fluctuation.  Representatives from NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) are due to visit the practice next week to look at our two premises and discuss any funding which may be available as a result of planning for new housing developments.  ICB representatives last visited to discuss this in 2019. Sharon will keep the group updated. There are no plans to close Watchet Surgery.

GP Update – no changes since our last meeting.

Staff Update – our new receptionist and our receptionist/administrator both joined the team in December as planned.  They are both undergoing training at present. Sharon said the receptionist who was retiring, had worked for the practice since 1982, NOT 1992 as stated in the minutes. Jane to correct entry.

Pharmacy Service Provision – Allied Pharmacy is now running the service next door. Kate asked if service delivery is satisfactory. Dr Ganner said it was early days as yet, it is a small team, and they were experiencing difficulties accessing stock, but generally a very good start overall. Dr Ganner felt all local pharmacies were very good. 

Flu vaccinations – the practice has a few vaccines left in stock for both age groups, currently 11 of each. This year, the surgery has delivered 2,565 vaccines to over 65s and 641 to patients under 65 in an ‘at risk’ group. Sharon felt take up was good. The flu season started early. Jane asked whether it was necessary to pay for a flu vaccine if someone was not eligible for an NHS one. Sharon said patients in this situation would need to go elsewhere for vaccination as the surgery is unable to provide flu vaccines privately.

Friends and Family Test Feedback – results for 2025 showed 92% of respondents rated the surgery service as very good, 7% good and 1% neither/nor.  There were 929 respondents.  October was the busiest month with 578 responses as a result of the flu clinics. Jane asked whether the text reminders about appointments had made a difference to DNA rates (did not attend). Yes, it has made a difference, and patients can now use the telephone system to check and cancel appointments. There is no recourse if a patient repeatedly fails to attend appointments and it is appreciated when patients contact the surgery in advance to cancel appointments. The surgery closely monitors children not brought in for their vaccinations, and patients known to have greater needs will be followed up if they fail to attend appointments. Dr Ganner felt DNA rates had fallen considerably. It is now the norm in many walks of life to get text reminders. Ian praised the service.

Izzy requested information about managing patients who have special needs. Sharon said all surgery staff receive training, and the practice safeguarding administrator will flag reasonable adjustments required on patient records. The practice meets the requirements of the Accessible Information Standard, and appropriate questions are covered at patient registration. Kate recently learned of patient passports and asked how much the surgery interacted with these passports. Dr Ganner said the practice team had received training, and were aware of the passports, but he had not had anyone come to him with one. If carers are involved, then they need to be encouraged to support their use, and hospitals ensure they flag those with passports so that they are used.

Village Agent Update

Izzy reported that the children’s and families’ worker role was going to be made redundant (from March). Izzy was quite shocked given the effectiveness of the post. Ian asked who would substitute, and Izzy said she expected it would be Izzy and her team, but the role offers specialised expertise.  Feedback has been very positive.  Izzy has had feedback about more limited availability. Margaret praised her achievements and Izzy was ‘feeling’ her reduced availability as Village Agent because of other demands. The Charity is celebrating 100 years of service, and Izzy will have been in post 10 years this coming September. 

Community transport is a vital part of the local infrastructure but faces constraints locally, including a lack of drivers and difficulties recruiting. Izzy has tried to raise the potential availability of mothers, those on low income, younger people too. There is increasing discussion about the possibilities of an exchange, some light volunteering, in exchange for access to community transport. The Watchet scheme is outstanding in delivery outcomes. Ian warned about promoting driving as a means of income as the income is normally minimal, and Izzy reassured she would not promote it. 

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust update

Kate said the Trust was very busy and corridor care was a problem. Ambulance wait times have decreased. A big problem is bed space, with large numbers of ‘No right to Reside’ patients. Patient acuity increased for a period of time, and such patients cannot be dealt with quickly as they are too unwell. Yeovil has opened its new Urgent Treatment Centre, which is next to ED, however, patients prefer to go to ED, so they are doing more to triage to the Urgent Treatment Centre. There is some pilot work on closing Community Hospital beds in Frome and Burnham, but this seems to have made little difference. It has freed up room for patients to be seen by consultants. They are trying to set up more outreach clinics in areas such as Minehead so where there is space, e.g. Wellington, outpatient appointments can take place and reduce clinical work at Musgrove.

Better services are being provided in mental health settings, and an award was won from the Health Service Journal. Open mental health has been very successful across the county. Dr Ganner said people are complaining about the waiting times to be seen interactively. ADHD - 3 years wait for adults. 

A 6-month pilot scheme is taking place in Barrington Ward. This involves a camera and AI tool.  It is being used as an observation tool and allows interaction.  It can help identify a problem and alert staff and may be particularly useful for vulnerable patients. 

The trust is at the first stage of getting electronic patient records set up. 

Margaret asked about the inquiry into maternity care. Baroness Amos leading the enquiry in Yeovil, has been down once to meet midwives and is coming again.  There are questions around the viability of Yeovil and Dorchester because the birth rate is falling.  They may say only one unit is needed in Somerset. New consultants are in place to take maternity services forward. Ian asked about clinics being stationed in community hospitals and whether Williton is used, and Kate said more are using it. Ian said there are many advantages to more activity in Williton. The bus stops at the hospital. 

Staffing is challenging and considered at a critical level.           

Update from the PPG Chairs meetings

Sandra sent apologies 

Dementia Alliance Watchet/other update

Margaret has been busy, and particularly latterly with Spark Somerset (patient engagement and experience). 

There is a conference on dementia at Minehead Rugby Club on 19 March 2026. 

Margaret goes to carers meetings, but attendance is very variable. 

Some research sessions about discharge from hospital, rural areas and how and when to prepare. It was questioned where findings are being reported. Kate will investigate what is happening. 

Margaret also discussed the importance of fund raising to support activity. Patients admitting they have a problem can be a barrier to getting support. 

Dementia Action week is mid-May. Margaret also has a role with the Salvation Army and is raising money via the churches which she is involved with for the next year.  

Future PPG events

Elizabeth asked Sharon whether there is funding available via the PCN for an event this year. Sharon will ask the PCN. Practice staff thought an event including information on healthy lifestyle, menopause, prostate issues, etc, would be beneficial. Elizabeth suggested this should be for the community as a whole. 

The Williton Pavillion is the preferred venue and securing the space is key. Elizabeth asked about dates in late June/early July. Izzy said there will be a separate carer’s day elsewhere this year. Ian will find out about venue availability. 

Feedback from patients 

Elizabeth has had some very positive feedback about Dr Smith and Dr Rafey Abidi.  It was reported by patients that both doctors listen well.

Elizabeth has had some very positive feedback about Dr Smith and Dr Rafey Abidi.  It was reported by patients that both doctors listen well.

Any other business

Elizabeth Murphy raised the Words in Watchet festival, and said that Dr Lucy Pollack, Lessons in Living from a Doctor of Aging, is highly recommended. This takes place on Sunday 22 February 2026. from 12noon to 1.30pm, in the Methodist Church in Watchet. £10 for a ticket. She also has a book, The Golden Rule. 

Elizabeth asked PPG group members to ask around about where the general public go to get advice about health matters. Pharmacies are expanding their role.

Date of the next meeting

24th March 2026